Legacy of Good Business Rules: Simple Life Lessons from My Dad
On the 17th of June 2024, my dad would have been 88 years old. He died a long time ago when I was at university. I missed not having him around through so many milestones in my life. He was a humble man who impressed people – not because of what he had or who he knew – but because of the person he was, his silent strength, his smarts, his ability to connect with people, his wit and his humour. His legacy to me is remembering some of his simple life lessons, both in my personal life as well as applying it as my business rules.
His legacy is to remember that we are all perfect in our imperfection, we all have a difference to make.
Business Rules
These are some of the simple lessons my dad left as his legacy that I apply as my business rules:
A warm smile costs nothing – be genuine
In business, connect with people not because of what you want, but because you would like to connect and build a lasting relationship. Be genuine and not fake when you deal with anyone. A warm smile opens doors and often makes someone’s day just a little better than it was.
When asking how someone is, really care about the answer and really listen to the answer
Small business can be a very lonely place and at times one can feel like a loser and if you are going nowhere. Listen to the things not said to make sure that no-one gets left behind.
Treat all people with respect notwithstanding who they are, what they have and where they come from
I will always remember how many people knew my dad from all walks of life. He connected well with people not because of what they had or could offer, but just because they were people.
Trust that you will be able to find the answer, keep going at it – your will figure out the answer in time, be curious and ask many questions
I was always amazed how my dad seemingly knew the answer of my math problems.
Yet when I asked how he figured it out, he would say he did not know.
My dad worked in the team that started up a metallurgical processing plant and knew the plant inside out; he often fixed up issues that no-one else could. I think it was not because he thought he knew all the answers but because he looked at life and work at all angles with an open mind.
he kept on asking questions until he could work out the problem and then how to solve it.
Do your best always
It does not matter if you come first or last in life, what matters is that you do your best.
Doing the best we can, forms the core foundation of Ichiban Commercial Solutions – it is what Ichiban means.
It can be hard work at times, because one ends up being a very hard task master on yourself and being harder on what you expect from yourself than you expect from anyone else.
It is a guiding principle for me in business. It is often what makes me go another extra mile – knowing that I can and have done my best.
Have pride in what you do and have achieved, stop and smell the roses and see how far you have come
I really do stop and smell the roses. Too often we run at a pace that is just too fast to keep up but when you consciously stop to smell the roses, you ground yourself again.
Also, everyone makes mistakes – don’t beat yourself up about failures but stop and see what you have learned and how far you have come.
Today is today and tomorrow is always a new day – yesterday’s issues are yesterday’s problem
Do not bear grudges and sort out today’s problems today. Try and start everyday with a clean slate.
Learn from yesterday to make today a better day.
Apologising does not take anything away from you – in fact it sets you free to move on.
Humour can keep you going when the chips are down
Laughter is its own medicine and my dad always came up with a witty thing to say even when he was the one not feeling the best.
It is amazing how finding something to smile about can lift your spirits and let you breathe again.
Be fair in your dealings
My dad dismissed a few people in his lifetime.
However, I always remember the letters and gifts he so often received afterwards thanking him for all his help, support and being fair. He did what he had to do, but he always remembered that the person in front of him, was human too.
Never walk past someone in need of help
Always lend a helping hand.
You never know – tomorrow you may be the one who needs the helping hand.
Business Rules Are not Rocket Science
These lessons and business rules are not rocket science.
It is simple stuff.
But I believe that it is the simple stuff in life that ends up making the big difference. In business it is the same.
Thank you dad for your legacy that I can apply as my business rules and use for building my business capability.
I am sure wherever you are, you are creating lots of laughter, music, stories and lending a helping hand.
Love and gratitude always.
“Laughter is wine for the soul – laughter soft, or loud and deep, tinged through with seriousness – the hilarious declaration made by man that life is worth living.”